Lower Brule, SD

Full City Profile · South Dakota · Buffalo County County

2.8 /5.0
C+ Fair
777 Population 2,158/sq mi density
$31,667 Median Income $11,057 per capita
$22,500 Home Value $240,737 Zillow
$415 Median Rent 20.2% income on rent
47°F Avg Temperature
C+
Overall
2.8 / 5.0
Fair overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
F
Economy
1.4 / 5.0
$31,667 median income, 8.6% unemployment
A+
Affordability
5.0 / 5.0
$22,500 home value, $415/mo rent
D
Education
2.0 / 5.0
12.0% bachelor's degree or higher
Lower Brule experiences four distinct seasons with an average annual temperature of 47°F (8°C). Winters average 18°F in January while summers reach 74°F in July. Annual precipitation totals 20.1 inches. The area receives 18.9 inches of snow annually.

Temperature

18°F Jan (-8°C) 74°F Jul (24°C)
Annual Average46.7°F
14% below US avg
January Average18°F (-8°C)
July Average74°F (24°C)

Geography

Elevation1,476 ft (450 m)
Area0.4 sq mi (0.9 km²)
Population Density2,158/sq mi
Coordinates44.0741°N, 99.5838°W
TimezoneAmerica/Chicago
CountyBuffalo County County
Nearest AirportPierre Regional (PIR)
41 miles away

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall 20.1"
47% below US avg
Snowfall 18.9"
Wettest Month (Jun) 3.82"
Driest Month (Dec) 0.35"

Air Quality

Natural Hazard Risk

Overall RiskVery Low
Risk Score13.7 / 100
Social Vulnerability66.6 / 100
Community Resilience0.5 / 100

Hazard Breakdown

Tornado Very Low
Earthquake Very Low
Wildfire Relatively Low
Flood Very Low
Hail Very Low
Strong Wind Relatively Low
Heat Wave Very Low
Winter Weather Relatively Low
Lightning Very Low
Ice Storm Relatively Low
Drought Relatively Low
Cold Wave Relatively Moderate
Landslide Very Low
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (Dec 2025)

Earthquake History

14 earthquakes (M2.5+) within 150 km since 1990. Strongest: M3.7. Most recent: M2.5 on Apr 27, 2025.

May 30, 2024 38 km NNW of Pierre, South Dakota M3.7 102 km
Jun 4, 2021 10 km NE of Anoka, Nebraska M3.7 137 km
Oct 25, 1990 8 km N of Plankinton, South Dakota M3.6 94 km
Aug 9, 2011 2 km S of Fort Pierre, South Dakota M3.3 69 km
Aug 5, 2022 4 km ENE of Draper, South Dakota M3.2 74 km
Jul 12, 1998 7 km E of Corn Creek, South Dakota M3.1 136 km
Jun 4, 2021 9 km ENE of Anoka, Nebraska M3.1 138 km
Jul 26, 2002 0 km WSW of Huron, South Dakota M3.1 113 km
Aug 15, 2017 8 km E of Agar, South Dakota M3.0 90 km
Feb 7, 2014 11 km NE of Bijou Hills, South Dakota M3.0 67 km
Jul 3, 1995 9 km SSW of Fort Thompson, South Dakota M2.8 11 km
Mar 20, 2010 9 km NNW of Springview, Nebraska M2.7 132 km
Apr 27, 2025 9 km NE of Burke, South Dakota M2.5 96 km
Jan 16, 2022 9 km NE of Plankinton, South Dakota M2.5 101 km
Source: USGS (M2.5+, 1990-2025)

Tornado History

282 tornadoes (EF0+) within 100 km since 1950. Strongest: EF4. Total: 1 fatality, 46 injuries.

Date Rating Distance Fatalities
Jun 18, 2014 EF4 94 km 0
Aug 24, 2006 EF3 75 km 0
Jun 7, 1993 EF3 100 km 0
Jun 16, 1992 EF3 13 km 0
Jul 23, 1973 EF3 68 km 0
Jul 24, 1971 EF3 40 km 0
Jul 9, 1971 EF3 2 km 0
Jul 9, 1971 EF3 22 km 0
Jul 3, 1971 EF3 36 km 0
May 15, 1962 EF3 98 km 0
Aug 30, 2020 EF2 85 km 1
Jun 18, 2014 EF2 56 km 0
Jun 18, 2014 EF2 81 km 0
Jun 18, 2014 EF2 62 km 0
May 22, 2010 EF2 81 km 0
Aug 24, 2006 EF2 64 km 0
Jun 29, 1993 EF2 82 km 0
Jun 23, 1993 EF2 78 km 0
Jun 12, 1993 EF2 68 km 0
Jun 30, 1992 EF2 42 km 0
Source: NOAA SPC (EF0+, 1950-2024)

Wildfire History

14 wildfires (100+ acres) within 100 km. Largest: OKREEK (11,115 ac, 2011).

Year Name Acres Distance
2011 OKREEK 11,115 80 km
2006 THOMPSON COMPLEX 3,230 41 km
2000 CLOVER 3,062 29 km
2022 HOLIDAY 2,936 23 km
2000 GANN VALLEY 2,534 55 km
2000 NOVOTNY AND WAGNER 1,968 96 km
2006 FT PIERRE COMPLEX 1,812 54 km
2011 HIGHWAY 47 1,800 10 km
2005 CHAOS 1,539 14 km
2001 VAN METRE 1,336 91 km
2014 OKREEK 1,273 72 km
2000 BAD HORSE 1,215 17 km
2005 N HYDE 1,204 72 km
2023 SDLDR-HFR-FY23-RX-BROKEN ARROW UNITS B-C-D-E-G-H-I 1,185 96 km
Source: NIFC/IRWIN (100+ acres)

Monthly Weather

Month Avg Temperature Precipitation Summary
January 18°F (-8°C) 0.5 in Coldest
February 22°F (-5°C) 0.5 in
March 33°F (1°C) 0.9 in
April 45°F (7°C) 1.8 in
May 58°F (14°C) 3.2 in
June 68°F (20°C) 3.8 in Wettest
July 74°F (24°C) 2.8 in Warmest
August 73°F (23°C) 2.2 in
September 64°F (18°C) 2.0 in
October 49°F (9°C) 1.6 in
November 35°F (1°C) 0.4 in
December 22°F (-5°C) 0.4 in Driest

Lower Brule has a seasonal temperature swing of 56°F / from 18°F in January to 74°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 20.1 inches, with June being the wettest month (3.8") and December the driest (0.4").

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